KAIA’S POV Behind me, the stranger shifted, carefully sitting up straighter. He looked between us, then directly at Gareth. “You don’t like me,” he said, not as a question but as a conclusion. Gareth stepped forward. “I don’t like people who act like they own the room when they can’t even remember their own name.” The stranger met his glare without blinking. “I lost my memory, not my balls.” Gareth scoffed. “Arrogant already. Well, isn’t it wonderful” But I wasn’t hearing arrogance. I was hearing control. Strength. Something deep and centered that had me almost cracking a smile. A genuine one. Gareth wasn’t used to people not bowing at his feet every two seconds. This one must burn pretty bad. “Who… are you people?” he asked again. “People trying to help,” I said, my tone softening. “Even if some of us don’t know how to show it well.” He looked at me then—really looked—and there was something unspoken in his gaze. It was like he had something in mind that he wanted to say. But he remained quiet. “You really don’t remember anything?” I asked quietly. He shook his head. “No. But I know what danger feels like. And this isn’t it. I think I’m perfectly safe here.” For some reason he had his eyes on me as he said those words, and that strange pull stirred again deep in my chest. “Not even your name?” I asked again and he shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. I shrugged. “Well, that’s not really a problem. I’m sure you’ll remember soon. For now how about we call you,” I paused, looking at his strange eyes and then nodded. “Silver. We’ll call you Silver.” At first he looked taken aback, but then he nodded with a chuckle. “Very well then. Silver it is.” “I’m sorry, would you two like some privacy?! Should we give you two the room?!” Gareth snapped angrily but I ignored him, too focused on the mystery in front of me. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t just some wounded stranger. There was something strange about this man, something… Mysterious. And I wouldn’t mind finding out what it is. ********* The moment I stepped out of the infirmary, I sensed his presence behind me. I hadn’t even closed the door when Gareth grabbed my arm, tugging me back. “Do you think that little scene you caused in there was smart?” he whispered angrily, his eyes full of rage. “Throwing a tantrum in front of everyone to make yourself look good while I’m made to look like the monster?” I jerked my arm away and took a deep breath to calm myself. “Don’t touch me like that. Ever.” His jaw tightened and his nose flared. “You embarrassed Laura.” “Good,” I said with a nod. “Maybe next time she’ll think twice before accusing me of chasing after you like some desperate girl. Do I look that cheap to you?” “She was upset,” he said, his voice growing harder and angrier. “And we both know she acted that way because she was only trying to protect what’s hers. What about you, Kaia? You’ve been acting strange for weeks. Always gone. Always somewhere you shouldn’t be.” “Somewhere you think I shouldn’t be,” I corrected calmly. “That’s not the same thing, Gareth.” The door opened, and Laura marched up behind him. “She’s avoiding the truth, Gareth. Like always. You saw how she looked at that man—like she wanted to crawl into his hospital bed! How can one female be so shameless, for goodness’ sake?!” I narrowed my eyes, letting out a chuckle. “Oh, wow. You two really can’t handle that I’ve moved on, can you?” “Moved on?” Laura laughed. “Oh, please. If that were true, you wouldn’t keep throwing yourself into danger every single day just to get attention. I see you, Kaia. All of you!” “You think I saved that man for attention?” I stepped closer, my voice growing low. “No, Laura. I saved him because I’m not a selfish, jealous person who only cares about status and themselves. I saved him because, unlike some people I know, I just so happen to have a heart.” Her face turned red, and I could practically see smoke coming out of her ears. “Just admit it, Kaia, you wanted Gareth. Everyone knew it. You thought he belonged to you.” I didn’t even blink. “I did. And then I realized he was just holding me back.” “Kaia—” Gareth growled. I turned to him, my voice quiet. “Why do you still care so much about what I do, who I help, or who I look at?” His jaw clenched. “I don’t. Don’t fool yourself, Kaia. The only reason I’m stepping into this mess is for the sake of the pack. I won’t have you bring in some stranger and endanger the whole pack just because you’re too proud and stubborn to listen to anyone but yourself!” For a second, no one said a word. Everything went still. The hallway was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat. Heat rushed through me, and I could feel the anger pumping in my veins. Looking him right in the eye, I spoke. “Do me a favor, Gareth. Go to hell, and let me have peace.” Behind him, Laura’s face changed as her jaw clenched in anger. “Oh, you mean him?” she asked. “Your mystery man. Is he the peace you’re referring to, Kaia? What? Are you really that shameless?” “I don’t owe either of you an explanation. What I do or don’t do with my life is solely my business,” I said calmly, before turning to leave. “We’re not done here, Kaia!” Gareth shouted. I didn’t look back. “Oh, I am. You just haven’t figured it out yet.” “Don’t you dare walk out on me, Kaia! Get back here! That’s an order!” Gareth growled angrily behind me, but I ignored him as I walked away, leaving them both in the hallway—trapped in their drama. I didn’t stop walking until the pack house was in sight. The hallway scene still echoed in my mind, but I shoved it away. I had bigger things to worry about. “Are you okay, Kaia?” Lilac, my wolf, asked, her voice full of concern. “I’m fine,” I muttered under my breath. She sighed. “Why do you think Gareth is so upset?” I rolled my eyes. “Does it matter?” “Kaia,” she pressed, “he looked like he was ready to rip someone apart. That wasn’t just about a hospital argument.” I shrugged. “I don’t know, and I really don’t care. Let him be angry. He can blow up for all I care.” Lilac was quiet for a beat, then her voice shifted to curiosity. “What about the stranger?” I frowned, slowing my steps. “What about him?” “Didn’t you feel it too? That strange aura around him?” I hesitated, swallowing the lump that had crept up in my throat. “Yeah. There’s something… different about him. It’s not just the power I sensed. It was something else. Like… like he didn’t quite belong here.” “And yet,” Lilac said, “he didn’t feel dangerous to me. Not in the way Gareth and Laura are trying to make it out to be.” I rubbed my arms, shivering as a breeze brushed past. “Still, what if I was wrong, Lilac? What if I really did bring danger into the pack?” “You didn’t,” she said, way too confidently. “He’s not lying, Kaia. He’s not here to harm anyone.” My brow furrowed. “How can you be so sure?” “I just know.” Her confidence both startled and confused me. I trusted Lilac. She was a part of me—my other half. But I couldn’t understand why she felt so protective of a man we didn’t even know. Before I could think further, I heard the sound of fast, angry footsteps behind me. I turned—and of course, it was Laura, storming toward me like a woman on a mission. “Running away again?” she sneered. I sighed. “You really don’t get tired, do you?” “You think you’re better than everyone just because you played hero for five minutes?” Laura snapped. “Let’s be honest, Kaia—you just want the attention. And you always have.” “No,” I said, keeping my voice even. “You’re just insecure because, deep down, you know exactly who the real thief is among us.” Her face turned crimson. “You little—!” She raised her hand, but I was faster. I slapped her hand away without even flinching. “Try that again,” I warned her, “I dare you.” I turned to walk off, done with her pathetic attempts at intimidation. But then she spat out behind me, “You think you’re untouchable now. Just wait. Gareth’s going to be crowned king soon. And when that happens, I’ll make sure he banishes you and your entire family from this pack!” I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around to face her. “What did you just say?” Laura sauntered closer, arms folded smugly. “You heard me. Once Gareth becomes king, your days here are over.” My chest tightened. “You’re bluffing.” Laura smirked. “Am I? I’ve already spoken to him. He agreed to stop your brother’s warrior training and strip your father of his position as an elder in this pack. He said he’d do it as soon as he’s crowned. And then you’re going to loose your warrior crest as well. You will no longer be a warrior of Moonveil pack. You’ll see. He’ll follow through—just like always. He does whatever my father asks of him, remember?” Oh, I remember. After all, he did appoint her brother as his new Beta after stripping his original Beta of the position—just because Laura’s father asked him to. There’s nothing Gareth wouldn’t do to get his hands on that throne. Even sell his soul. But would he really go this far? “Enjoy your stay while it lasts, Kaia. And tell your family to start finding a new pack to move into. It won’t be long now,” Laura said with a smirk, then turned on her heel and walked away without another word. I stood there, frozen in place, my mind reeling with what she’d just said. She was lying… right? She had to be. But the sinking feeling in my gut told me otherwise. I sighed, shaking my head. Exactly how far was Gareth willing to go for that throne?